Adjustable locking type quick-release fastener



Feb. 17, 1970 ADJUSTABLE LOCKING ,TYPE QUICK-RELEASE 'FASTENER Filed Aug. 14. 1967 J. R. METZ United States Patent 3,495,307 ADJUSTABLE LOCKING TYPE QUICK- RELEASE FASTENER Joseph R. Metz, Ridgefield, Conn., assiguor to Norco, Inc., Ridgefield, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Aug. 14, 1967, Ser. No. 660,415 Int. Cl. F16b 21/02 US. Cl. 24-211 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable plug-and-socket type quick-release fas-.

tener wherein the socket has a cross bar carried by internal threads, enabling the bar to be shifted axially of the socket. The cross bar is adapted to be received in registerable front-end slots of a two-piece plug constituted of relatively tumable inner and outer telescoped members. Slots in the front end of one member are parallel to the axis of the plug, and in the other member they follow a helical curve whereby relative turning movement of the members is required to enable the cross bar to be received in or shifted out of the slots. An accessible, easily operated locking piece at the other ends of the telescoped members enables the inner member to be locked in different adjusted rotative positions against turning with respect to the socket, thereby to prevent unintended release of the cross bar when the latter is seated in the slots. The locking to the socket is done by a slide on the inner member, cooperable with an anchorage part turnably carried on the plug and having a key connection with structure connected to the socket.

CROSS REFERENCES (1) US. Patent No. 3,253,310 dated May 31, 1966.

(2) US. Patent No. 3,280,439 dated Oct. 25, 1966.

(3) Copending application Ser. No. 390,617 filed May 31, 1966, now Patent No. 3,345,711, in the name of John J. McCarthy, entitled Releasable Mechanical Coupling, having common ownership with the present application.

(4) Copending application Ser. No. 542,938. filed Apr. 15, 1966, now Patent No. 3,362,050, in the name of John J. McCarthy, entitled Concentric Tube Releasable Clasp, having common ownership with the present application.

(5) Copending application Ser. No. 618,722 filed Feb. 27, 1967, now Patent No. 3,372,908, in the name of John J. McCarthy, entitled Quickly-Openable Snatch Block,v having common ownership with the present application.

(6) Copending application Ser. No. 652,917, filed July 12, 1967, now Patent No. 3,407,455 dated Oct. 29-, 1968, in the name of Joseph R. Metz, entitled Locking Type Quick-Release Fastener, having common ownership with the present application.

BACKGROUND This invention relates to quick-release fastener devices, and more particularly to plug-and-socket type releasable fasteners where the plug comprises telescoped members differently notched at their forward ends to accept and lock to a cross bar of the receiver.

Prior releasable fasteners of the kind indicated generally employ a manually operable release lever or sleeve which is carried by one member of the plug and is drivingly connected to the other member to effect, by .its movement, actuation of the same for releasing the cross bar. Such an arrangement does not at all times positively prevent the possibility of accidental release of the fastener, especially under adverse conditions of use, vibra- 3,495,307 Patented Feb. 17, 1970 tion, contact with other external objects, etc. Accordingly the reliability of the fastening is questionable in some circumstances.

To remedy this, one prior fastener has a releasable locking piece connected between the two members of the plug so as to positively prevent their relative turning and thereby insure against accidental release. While this solved the problem of reliability of the fastener, there still remained a consideration that adjustment or pull-up of the plug in the socket to secure a particular desired positioning or tightness of the structures secured by the fastener, was not possible. In some circumstances this constituted a drawback.

SUMMARY The above drawback of lack of adjustment of prior plug-and-socket type fasteners is obviated by the present invention, and one object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved positive-locking plug-and-socket type quick release fastener wherein instant adjustment or pull-up of the parts is possible after their securement or lock-up. This is accomplished by adjustably carrying a cross bar in the socket, by means of internal socket screw threads. Turning of the cross bar about the socket axis shifts the bar deeper or less deeply into the socket. The plug part which cooperates with the cross bar turnably carries an anchorage member which is adapted to be keyed, against turning, to the carrier for said part. A locking slide on the plug part is cooperable with the anchorage member to releasably hold one member of the plug against turning which would release the cross bar.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved adjustable, failure-proof quick-release fastener as above set forth, which is especially simple and economical in construction, involving few, easily fabricated and assembled components; to provide a fastener as characterized, which is small and compact, especially easily operated, positive in its fastening and releasing actions, and adapted to a wide variety of uses.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of the present improved locking-type quick release fastener, shown as securing two structural members to each other in spaced relation and against separation.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the rear or head end of the plug part of the fastener.

FIG. 3 is a. bottom plan View of the receiver part of the fastener.

FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of the receiver part per se.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the receiver part of the fastener.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the plug part of the fastener.

As shown, the improved fastener comprises essentially a plug part 10 and a socket or receiver part 12, said parts being carried respectively by carrier structures or panels 14, 16 which are required to be releasably secured to each other in closely spaced relation as indicated in FIG. 1, preferably with a yieldable or compressible gasket 17 interposed between them.

The receiver part 12 comprises a tubular body portion 18 having an annular end flange 20 which is received in a recess 22 in the panel 16. The body 18 extends through a suitable aperture in the panel and carries at its under-,

side a nut 24 by which it is rigidly secured in place. The receiver body 18 includes a downward extension 26 provided with flats 28 for accommodating a wrench, to facilitate tightening of the nut 24.

In the body 18 there is a cross bar 30 adapted to be received and held captive in the notched lower or forward end portion of the plug part 10.

In accordance with the present invention, for the purpose of eifecting an adjustable relation between the plug and receiver parts 10, 12 and consequently between the panels 14 and 16, preferably so as to compress the gasket 17, the cross bar 30 is adjustably mounted in the receiver body 18 whereby it can be positioned either deeper in said body or else less deeply therein. For this purpose, the interior or bore of the receiver body 18 is provided with screw threads 32, and the cross bar 30 is diametrically mounted in a threaded bushing 34 which has exterior threads by which it can be screwed into the threaded bore 32 of the receiver body 18. As a consequence, it will be understood that turning of the cross bar 30 and bushing 34 carrying it, about the axis of the receiver body 18, will effect an adjustable positioning of the crossbar in the receiver body, either more or less deeply therein.

In order to take up looseness between the receiver body 18 and the plug 10, a second threaded bushing 36 is screwed into the body 18 and disposed at the mouth of the same, directly within the flange 20. The second bushing 36 preferably is a tight fit in the body 18 whereby it will remain in the given position illustrated FIGS. 1 and 4, whereas the first-mentioned bushing 34 is a slidable fit enabling it to be readily turned or screwed in or out in response to forces applied to the cross bar 30.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the plug part comprises inner and outer telescoped members 38, 40 respectively, arranged to have a sliding lit with each other whereby the members are capable of relative turning movement. The outer member 40 comprises a tubular body having at its upper end an enlargement or head 42 which is received in a shallow cup-like washer 44 engaged with the panel 14. The body 40 of the plug part 10 passes through an aperture 46 in the panel 14 and at its lower end has a slotted configuration comprising a pair of oppositely disposed transverse or diagonal slots 48 extending along helixes about the axis of the plug part. The diagonal slots 48 have divergent edges at their mouths, said slots being open-ended and having their openings at the bottom end of the body member 40. The diagonal slots 48 can deeply accommodate the cross bar 30 if the body is given a turning or screwing movement when it is inserted in the receiver 18.

The inner plug member 38 has at its bottom end a straight slot 50 which is also adapted to receive the cross bar 30. Intermediate its ends, the inner member 38 has had an annular shoulder 52, and said member carries a helical compression spring 54 in a space provided between the members. The spring 54 at one end engages the shoulder 52 of the inner member 38, and at its other end engages an internal annular shoulder 56 of the plug body member 40 whereby the inner member 38 is biased downward with respect to the member 4 as viewed in FIG. 1. A split ring 58 is carried by the inner member 38 above the shoulder 56 of the outer member, and engages said shoulder to constitute a stop device by which the members 38, 40 normally occupy the positions of FIG. 1, with their lower ends not quite flush, the inner member 38 projecting downward past the bottom edge of the outer member 40. These relative positions are maintained by the action of the spring 54 and the engagement between the shoulder 56 and split ring 58, as will be understood.

Further details explaining the action of the members 38, 40 can be had by referring to US. Patent No. 3,253,- 310 showing a similar type twist-lock fastener.

With the above organization, the cross bar 30 can be received in the slots 48, 50 to occupy the locked position illustrated in FIG. 1 if the plug members 38, 40 experience a slight relative back and forth turning movement as the cross bar is engaged and moves inward. Thus, the plug part 10 can be forced deeply into the receiver part 12 with the cross bar 30 of the latter accommodated in the slotted end portion of the plug part as shown in FIG. 1, in response to said parts being forcibly assembled or being pushed one into the other. During such assembly, the members 38, 40 of the plug part 10 will experience a slight relative clockwise and counterclockwise movement as the diagonal slots 48 are being traversed by the cross bar 30, such movement requiring the overcoming of the friction established between the members by the stop device 56, 58 under the action of the spring 54. Also, the cross bar 39 itself and the carrier bushing 34 may experience movement, these turning in the receiver body 18. Or both the bar 30 and bushing 34 on the one hand, and the members of the plug part 10 on the other hand may turn as the parts 10, 12 are forcibly assembled or pushed one into the other.

It will be understood that, in order to withdraw the plug part 10 from the receiver part 12, an opposite relative back and forth turning of the plug parts 38, 40 must occur to enable release of the cross bar 30 from the slots 48, 50. If such relative movement of the plug members 38, 40 cannot occur, then the cross bar 30 will remain captive in the slots 48, 50 with the result that the plug part 10 cannot be withdrawn from the receiver part 12.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved accessible and easily operated locking device is provided at the upper ends of the members 38, 40 of the plug part 10 in conjunction with the variable positioning of the cross bar 30 in the receiver part 12. The organization enables the members of the plug part 10 to be locked against relative turning, thereby to prevent unintended or accidental release of the plug part 10 from the receiver part 12, while at the same time enabling an adjustable positioning or tightening of the plug part in the receiver part, thereby to pull up tightly the panels 14, 16 and compress the gasket 17.

The releasable lock device comprises a slide 60 which is preferably formed from sheet metal, having a slot 62 accommodating a small-diameter hub portion 64 of the inner plug member 38. A headed push pin 66 is pressed into the hub 64 and upper portion of the inner member 38 to retain the slide 60 in place while enabling it to move transversely of the inner member as permitted by the slot 62. The slide 69 is movable in a wide diametric groove 67 in the flange or head 42 of the outer plug member 40, and can shift from a locking position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a direction from left to right to an unlocking position while still retained in the groove 67 of the head.

To elfect a control of the turning movement of the outer plug member 40 by means of the slide 60, the latter is connected to a lug 68 and the cup-like washer 44 (hereinafter also termed an anchorage member)= is provided with notches 70 in its top edge, said notches being adapted to receive the lug 68 for various adjusted rotative positions of the plug member 40 when the slide 60 is in the advanced or locking position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The cup or anchorage member 44 has a depending pin or lug 7 adapted to be received in a suitable aperture in the panel 14 whereby the anchorage member is keyed thereto and prevented from turning. Inasmuch as the panels 14 and d6 are not relatively turnable, and since the receiver 12 is securely fixed to the panel 16, it follows that the anchorage member 44 is prevented from turning with respect to the receiver part 12. Thus, when the locking slide 60 is in its advanced, locking position, the fact that it is carried in the groove 67 of the outer plug member 40 results in said outer plug member being also prevented from turning. Accordingly, relative turning is prevented between the inner and outer plug members 38, 46 by virtue of the fact that the inner plug member in accommodating the cross bar 30 in its slot 50 is prevented from turning in the receiver 12 (for the conditions of use wherein the threaded bushing 34 is under appreciable axial stress, from the compressed gasket 17 as transmitted to the panel 14 and the plug part 10, and in turn from the plug part to the cross bar 30 carried by the bushing 34). Such force is similar to the friction force experienced by a nut which has been pulled up tightly on a screw. For such conditions, appreciable friction exists between the cooperable thread elements, preventing relative turning of the same unless a considerable turning movement is applied.

The slide 60 preferably carries a cover piece 74 on which the locking lug 68 is disposed, said cover piece having down-turned flanges or edges 76, 78 which are welded or otherwise secured to the slide 60. The head portion 42 of the outer plug member 40 has a pair of diametrically opposite recesses 80 to accommodate the prongs of a wrench, for the purpose of enabling the plug part to be pulled up tightly in a manner now to be described.

The tightening or binding of the threaded bushing 34 and cross bar 30 in the body 18 is effected by the pull-up of the fastener as the panel 14 is secured to the panel 16 by introduction of the plug part 10 in the receiver part 12. Such assembly or lock up of the fastener is effected as follows: The slide 60 is retracted or shifted to the released position (not shown) which is attained by moving it from left to right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The plug 10 is then inserted in the receiver 12 and turned until the slot '50 aligns with and starts to receive the cross bar 30.

Using the wrench as applied to the head 42 of the plug part, the said part is now turned counterclockwise when viewed from the wrench end, until the cross bar 30 is completely received in the slots 48, 50. A slight relative turning between the plug members 38, 40 is necessary in order for this to be effected, as will be understood. Such relative turning is possible due to the locking slide 60 being in the retracted, releasing position.

As the plug part #10 is now continued in its counterclockwise tuming, the accompanying turning of the cross bar 30 and bushing 34 carrying the said bar will result in unscrewing of the bushing or a slight raising of the entire assemblage. When this is noted, the turning of the plug part 10 is reversed, causing the bushing 34 and the captivated cross bar 30 to be screwed inward. The clockwise turning is continued until the plug 10 is pulled up snugly, bringing the panels 14, 16 together. After the snug condition is attained, the clockwise turning is continued for one revolution, effecting a compression of the gasket 17 disposed between the panels 14, 16. The turning is then stopped, and using the wrench a slight turning adjustment of the plug part is made to bring the locking lug 68 in alignment with one of the notches 70 of the anchorage cup 44. The slide 60 is then shifted to dispose the locking lug 68 in the adjoining slot. The wrench is now removed, and the fastener is said to be locked-up.

To unlock or release the fastener, the spanner wrench may be utilized to remove pressure from the locking slide 68 whereupon the latter may be shifted to the releasing position. Then the force exerted on the panels 14, 16 by the gasket 17 will effect relative turning movement of the plug parts 38, 40, causing release of the cross bar 30. In an emergency, unlocking of the fastener may be effected without the use of the spanner wrench but instead by using a hammer, screwdriver or other tool. The locking slide 60 is struck or otherwise forcibly shifted to the releasing position wherein the lug 68 is not contained in the notched rim of the anchorage cup 44. Upon this being effected, the force of the gasket 17 against the panels 14, 16 will effect the release of the fastener in the manner described above.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved adjustable lockingtype quick-release fastener of the kind having a plural member notched plug part cooperable with the cross bar of a receiver part, wherein the fastener can be securely locked in the assembled condition, wherein it will normally resist accidental or unintentional separation which might occur from adverse environmental conditions, and wherein it will also permit an adjustable pull-up or tightening of the fastener parts and the associated structural members such as panels and the like. The fastener is simple in its construction, involving relatively few parts which may be economically fabricated and assembled. Moreover, the fastener is seen to be small and compact, and the parts may be sturdily constituted or constructed whereby the fastener will resist appreciable disruptive forces. The fastener parts can be quickly separated by the mere act of shifting the locking slide to its releasing position. Such shifting of the locking piece is not depended on to effect a relative turning of the plug members of the plug part, and accordingly may be carried out by the use of a suitable instrument or wrench. The relative turning of the members of the plug part is effected by forces exerted between the plug part and the receiver part, as by means of the gasket 17 as will be understood.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvement may be used Without others.

Iclaim: e

1. A quick-release fastener comprising, in combination:

(a) a plug part adapted to be releasably attached to the cross bar of a receiver part, said plug part including inner and outer relatively turnable telescoped members,

(b) said members having one set of corresponding forward end portions provided with juxtaposed openended slot means arranged to have their openings at the forward end of the plug part and to receive said cross bar therein,

(c) the slot means of one member extending axially and substantially parallel to the axis of the plug part, and the slot means of the other member extending substantially along a theoretical helix disposed about said axis,

(d) said telescoped members having another set of corresponding end portions located in juxtaposition to each other and remote from the first set, wherein the improvement comprises:

(e) an anchorage member turnably carried by the outer one of the telescoped members adjacent said other set of end portions,

(f) said anchorage member having means engageable with the carrier for the fastener, to prevent its turning relative to said carrier, and

(g) releasable, manually operable lock means engageable with the anchorage member and the inner one of the telescoped members for locking the latter to the anchorage member against relative turning when certain rear'wardly located portions of the slot means are in registration so as to enable them to accommodate said cross bar, the forwardly located portions of the slot means being out of registration, thereby to enable a locking of the cross bar to be effected in said slot means.

2. A quick-release fastener as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the lock means enables the inner member to be locked to the anchorage member in any of a plurality of different rotative positions.

3. A quick-release fastener as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the anchorage member comprises a shallow, cupshaped part,

(b) said outer telescoped member having an external flange adjacent said other set of end positions,

(c) said cup-shaped part being disposed under said flange,

(d) said cup-shaped part having a slotted rim,

(e) said lock means comprising a cross slide on the inner telescoped member, provided with a lug engageable with the slotted rim of the cup-shaped part.

4. A quick-release fastener as in claim 3, wherein:

(a) the means for preventing turning of the anchorage member comprises a lug extending from the bottom of the cup-shaped part.

5. A quick-release fastener as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the lock means comprises a cross slide on the inner telescoped member, provided with a lug engageable with the anchorage member.

6. A quick-release fastener as set forth in claim 1, and

further including:

(a) a receiver part comprising a tubular body adapted to be mounted on a carrier,

(b) a cross bar disposed substantially diametrically in said body,

(0) means turnably mounting the cross bar in the body to enable it to assume any of a plurality of different substantially diametric positions.

7. A quick-release fastener as in claim 6, wherein:

(a) the lock means enables the inner member to be locked to the anchorage member in any of a plurality of different rotative positions.

8. A quick-release fastener as in claim 7, wherein:

(a) the means turnably mounting the cross bar comprises screw threads in the body whereby turning of the bar about the axis of the body shifts the bar laterally and along said axis.

9. A plug-and-receiver type fastener comprising, in

combination:

(a) a plug having a slot to engage the receiver, (b) a tubular body fixedly mounted on a carrier against relative movement,

' (c) a cross bar disposed substantially diametrically in said body, wherein the improvement comprises:

(d) means turnably mounting the cross bar in the body to enable it to assume any of a plurality of different axial and different substantially diametric positions therein, said cross bar being engageable by said plug slot.

10. A receiver part as in claim 9, wherein:

(a) the means turnably mounting the cross bar comprises screw threads in the body whereby turning of the bar about the axis of the body shifts the bar laterally and along said axis.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,318,123 5/1943 Segal.

2,486,411 11/ 1949 Huelster.

2,499,574 3/1950 Dzus.

2,527,408 10/1950 Dzus.

2,580,666- 1/1952 Dzus.

2,922,211 1/1960 Boyd.

3,253,310 5/1966 McCarthy 24-211 X BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

